Sony a (alpha) DSLR-A700
Explore your creative side and discover a whole new level of refined shooting performance with Sony's finest SLR yet. The DSLR-A700 offers stunning image accuracy and detail, rugged metal construction, plus useful features and controls. This cam works with Sony's full line of precision lenses, and gives you backward compatibility with Minolta's popular A-mount autofocus models.
High-resolution 12.2-megapixel recording
The 'A700's newly designed image sensor provides beautiful high-resolution photos that can be heavily cropped and still produce big, crisp prints. Advanced CMOS technology delivers images with exceptionally wide dynamic range, allowing you to accurately capture subtle photographic detail on both strongly lit and deeply shadowed areas of your picture at the same time. Sony also engineered the sensor with special on-chip noise reduction to produce less visible grain, for sharper images over a wide range of ISO (light sensitivity) settings. You'll enjoy clean-looking shots even in low-light conditions.
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Built-in image stabilization for sharp photos
A built-in image stabilization system minimizes unwanted blur caused by an unsteady hand. It physically shifts the position of the image sensor to compensate for camera shake, maintaining optimum picture sharpness. And because the system is built into the camera instead of the lens, you'll get blur-free photos with any lens you use. Plus, every time you power off the camera, this same mechanism vibrates the image sensor to dislodge any dust particles that might have accumulated, ensuring spotless pictures.
Shoot at a speedy 5 frames per second
The A700's advanced image processor ensures near-instant camera startup and shutter response. You can snap images continuously at up to five frames per second, for up to 18 RAW mode shots in a row, or unlimited shots in Fine/Standard mode. All that speed is great for capturing action sequences, like your son making a slapshot hockey goal or a child blowing out the candles on her birthday cake.
High-definition image playback
The camera's bright, high-resolution 3" LCD screen offers an impressive 920,000 dots — far more than the number found on most cameras — for a crystal-clear view. This extra resolution makes it a breeze to review your images for critical details. Plus, the 'A700 features an HDMI connection with selectable 720p/1080i video output, so you can share your pictures in breathtaking high-definition clarity on your HDTV (Mini HDMI cable required). There's even a 16:9 widescreen recording mode for showing off your images on a widescreen display.
Versatile SLR design
The 'A700 gives you a wide range of shooting options, from easy-to-use presets to advanced hands-on manual adjustments. You get exposure modes for portraits, night scenes, landscapes, and more, plus you can fine-tune contrast, saturation, and sharpness levels individually. A handy autofocus feature begins focusing your picture as soon as you bring your eye to the viewfinder — no need to press down the shutter-release button halfway. The included wireless remote lets you easily control the cam for giving "slideshows" on your TV, and makes it a snap to put yourself into group shots or take self-portraits. Dual-media slots lets you save images to your choice of optional Memory Stick® Duo or CompactFlash® memory cards (no memory included).
Details:
12.2-megapixel effective recording
APS-C-size CMOS image sensor (23.5 x 15.6 mm)
compatible with Sony Alpha and Konica Minolta/Maxxum® A-type bayonet mount autofocus lenses
3" high-resolution LCD screen (920,000 dots)
high-strength aluminum chassis and magnesium alloy body
11-point autofocus system with center cross-type sensor for accurate, high-speed focusing
bright, high-quality pentaprism viewfinder with diopter adjustment
Super SteadyShot® image stabilization
anti-dust technology to keep image sensor clean
compatible with Sony's vertical grip for extended shooting
Eye-Start® Autofocus System
JPEG image size options: 4272 x 2848; 3104 x 2064; 2128 x 1424 (4288 x 2856 maximum RAW image size)
JPEG, RAW, cRAW (compressed RAW) and RAW+JPEG shooting modes
16:9 widescreen shooting mode
sensitivity or ISO (film speed equivalent) range: 100-3200 (up to 6400 in expanded ISO range)
shutter speed range: 1/8000 to 30 seconds, Bulb, flash sync at 1/250 second (1/200 second with Super SteadyShot on)
drive mode: 3 or 5 frames per second (up to 18 frames in RAW mode, unlimited frames up to card capacity in JPEG Standard/Fine mode)
custom white balance settings
spot metering mode
depth-of-field preview
built-in flash
accessory shoe
dual memory card slots accept Memory Stick® Duo, Memory Stick PRO™ Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™, CompactFlash® (Type I and II), and Microdrive (no memory card included; must be purchased separately)
PictBridge capability
1080i/720p Mini HDMI output (type C connector, cable not included)
high-speed USB interface
NTSC/PAL video output
5-3/4"W x 4-1/4"H x 3-1/8"D (without lens)
weight (body only): 24.3 oz.
warranty: 1 year
Want more peace of mind? Extended Service Plans Available
Supplied Accessories:
AC battery charger
lithium ion rechargeable battery (NP-FM500H)
wireless remote control
video cable
USB cable
neck strap
body cap
software CD-ROM (PC & Mac)
Sony a (alpha) DSLR-A700 user reviews
It's fast, solid and performs great...
The colors are spot on and the burst mode is wonderful...
The noise is really low and you won't worry increasing it...
By the way you'll see significant improvement if you uses a high quality lens like Carl Ziess 16-80, or 135mm...
"
Low light shooting is enhanced with the addition of high ISO sensitivity, while the use of dedicated and programmable buttons make it easy to switch between color and B&W modes with ease. The same is also absolutely true of the switch from auto to manual focus: a button makes it simple.
As far as the B&W shooting goes, the A700’s 6400 ISO allows me to push the camera to force grain in my images, making for a rougher, more natural finish. Cameras with lower ISO ratings seem to lead lead to pretty smooth gradients all across the B&W image.
I also took the camera out to a softball game, where I got to try a little stopping of the action. I had some fun and got a few decent shots in, though I think they mostly came out a little bright. This is one of the instances where the full manual control excels.
This new camera has gotten me to shoot fully manual a lot of the time. Whereas the A100 made it a little tricky to control both the Aperture and Shutter in manual mode, the A700 gives a separate control wheel to each, making them effortless to change on the fly.
I've used this camera to successfully shoot several weddings, concerts, and portrait sessions. In all cases, its performance exceeded my expectations.
A lot of thought has been put into making this camera a formidable contender in the DSLR market… and I’m glad to have thrown my support behind Sony."
"
Cons: Doesn't have the gauche appeal of Nikon or Canon. You need to really love photography and stick to your guns.
Summary: If somebody had told her this was a Nikon with a Nikon label on it...her review would have been glowing, with an excellent rating. She would have gone on and on about how wonderful the new "Nikon" is and how all of its feature sets are so much simpler now...take my advice. I've owned full-frame "pro" cameras by both Nikon and Canon...and I'm sick of them both. I'll take Sony anytime. Easy to use, professional quality imaging and ergonomis galore. Intuitive? My God YES!!! The lenses you can use with this camera are great, and no other vertical grip can compare to this one and the one for the A900. Be the future of professional photography. I'm an ALPHA!!! "
So I decided to buy this more expensive cover and it is a good deal better. It clips onto the LCD screen quite firmly, is very clear and can be removed and cleaned should it get grubby.
Although it makes the body of the camera a couple of millimetres thicker when attached this is only a problem when using an old camera bag originally designed to house my older 35mm cameras, which are smaller than most digital SLRs."
Well built, great user interface, especially the quick navi system (only gripe is the top plate buttons - ISO, Drive Mode and WB - don't fall to hand with the camera to your eye. Not a big issue but I have to look to use them).
DRO is quite amazing - changes how you feel about jpg vs. raw (I'm still torn between the two!)
Firmware v4 sorts out early noise and over-reduction issues, IQ is now very good (though I prefer the colours I used to get from the KM 7D - not a big difference but a difference nevertheless).
All in all, a great camera for the experienced amateur, and at current prices (close to half what I paid over a year ago) it is an awful lot of camera for not a lot of money.
"
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